The age of utility was going on in Europe towards the end of the eighteenth century and industrialisation was taking its firs steps. The reforms of the age were welcomed with enthusiasm in the kingdom of Sweden; agriculture was being developed and new cities were founded. Vicar Edner, a representative of the clergy from Lempäälä in the province of Finland introduced to the Diet of 1771-1772 a bill to found the market town of Tampere. Young king Gustavus III travelled to Finland in the summer of 1775 and signed an order to found a market town on the western shore of Tammerkoski rapids. The king also visited the future market town area as a guest of baron Hans Henrik Boije, the owner of Hatanpää and Tammerkoski Manor. On 1 October, 1779 the king signed the charter of Tampere. The document no longer mentions a market town, but a town instead.

Tampere was initially governed like the countryside by state officials: county governor, bailiff, and head of the county constabulary. Guild institution was prohibited in the town, but town councillor meetings developed to manage issues and present them to the county governor in the 1790s. Running errands were managed by a municipal official who acted among others as a drummer, summoner, and payment collector. The postmaster acted as town treasurer, and the public prosecutor also supervised the trade. A steward was employed to manage the town in 1802, and at the same time a decision was made to build a town hall.